Friday’s practice

Because of a rash of injuries — with Chris Wilcox the latest to go down with a hip flexor contusion — Sonics coach P.J. Carlesimo practiced light on Friday morning, as former NBA coach Don Casey worked with the players on a 1-2-2 zone defense. Carlesimo said the Sonics are not going to be a primary zone team, but it will be on of their defenses in certain situations.

Being old school, Carlesimo said he did not believe in the zone when it was introduced in the league in 2001 but has warmed to the idea and believes a good zone can disrupt teams, especially ones that don’t shoot well from the outside.

On Friday it was the basics, with players learning to call out screens, Carlesimo teaching players how to chip or disrupt players from coming off screens so another defender could catch up with them and press the ball to prevent open outside shots. The players seem to be taking to Carlesimo’s style well and they are embracing the defensive philosophy.

Talking with Wilcox on Wednesday, he said the players welcomed more of a defensive system. I think they are sick of giving up so many easy baskets or former coach Bob Hill emphasizing how the defense is improving when it went from putrid to sometimes terrible.

Robert Swift, Kurt Thomas, Mickael Gelabale and Delonte West joined Wilcox on the sideline in watching the zone instruction.

Carlesimo did not want a non-contact practice Friday mornings but injuries prevented anything else. He wanted the players to learn the zone through scrimmages, but was relegated to a classroom type teaching.

“It’s hard for the guys on the floor to learn when it’s non contact,” Carlesimo said. “It’s really hard for guys standing on the sideline. We got some things in and it’s the first time they saw it.”

Carlesimo said he is unsure whether the Sonics will debut the zone Tuesday against Sacramento, and he said he wouldn’t and it’s current state. The team will practice Saturday morning at Furtado and then conduct an open practice for fans at Seattle Pacific University at 6 p.m. for about 90 minutes.

The players will be available for autographs and there will definitely be some grueling work since Carlesimo’s has been limited from working the players because of injuries.